Smart City Renewable Energy Products
Role: UX Researcher/ Designer
at Woven by Toyota, Inc
Skills: Mixed Research Methods, Concept Evaluation, Diary Study, Usability Tests, Card Sorting, Wireframing, Prototyping
Duration: May 2023 - August 2024
Project Type: Full time
All of my work is protected by a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding this project.
Summary
This project focused on developing sustainable energy solutions for Toyota's smart city initiative, 'Woven City.' It aimed to pioneer efforts as a human-centered experimental city, aligning with the the Environment's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
As part of the UX research process, I conducted exploratory interviews to inform concept design and identified user needs and behaviors related to energy management. Based on these insights, I collaborated with the team to design and test prototypes. Usability testing was conducted to evaluate applications for EVs and home batteries, as well as tools leveraging next-generation energy technologies to visualize and optimize electricity consumption across the entire city. The results informed iterative improvements, ensuring the final solutions enhanced energy efficiency and improved the daily lives of residents.
Video sourced from Woven City's official youtube channel : Woven City Concept Video
My Key Contributions
11
Concept Tests
17
Usability Tests
7
Diary Studies
67
Survey Data Analysis
EV charging
mobile app
Usability
Test ①
Persona &
Journey Map
Concept
Test
Usability
Test ②③
Diary Study
City Energy Signage
Home battery mobile app
Persona &
Journey Map
Surveys
Card sort &
Usability Test
Process and My Focus
1. Exploration Phase
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Conducted exploratory interviews with potential users and stakeholders to inform the concept development process.
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Organized user goals and behaviors to create personas and customer journey maps, forming the foundation for design strategies.
2. Prototyping & Testing
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Designed and tested the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for a mobile app and optimized its UX.
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Developed nudges to encourage behavioral changes based on energy consumption insights.
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Collected data from 67 participants to identify feature prioritization for an energy visualization dashboard that made it easier to monitor city-wide energy consumption.
3. Feedback & Growth
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Conducted follow-up interviews and feedback loops to refine the concept.
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Shared research findings and design proposals with cross-functional teams (engineers, PMs, and designers), influencing decision-making for user-centric interface designs.
Key Findings
To drive sustainable behavioral change, both effective visualization and strategic nudging play essential roles.
Nudges Effectiveness
In-depth interviews and usability testing revealed that the timing and presentation of nudges—subtle prompts designed to influence behavior—are critical in shaping user decisions and promoting energy-saving actions.
Energy Visualization
Electricity is essential yet intangible, like air. Effective visualizations made energy usage more relatable, enhancing user awareness and motivation for sustainable behavioral change.
Impacts
EV App
Delivered an interactive prototype informed by usability testing,
improving user workflows and promoting sustainable energy consumption habits.
Smart Home App
Designed and implemented nudge-based features,
successfully encouraging behavioral changes that supported energy-saving actions.
City Energy Dashboard
Finalized a real-time dashboard with prioritized features,
enabling efficient energy monitoring and decision-making across urban settings.
All of my work is protected by a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding this project.
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